Battle of the Blades hits new heights with performances inspired by Olympic programs

From the night’s opening routine – with its eye-popping triple twist – to the closing re-enactment of Jamie Sale and David Pelletier’s gold-medal winning Love Story (judged by the pair that first performed it), BOTB raised the bar to Olympic heights. Two teams earned perfect marks of 18.0.

Fitting, seeing as the night’s performances were homages to memorable moments in the figure skating pantheon. But there’s only room for three teams on the podium, so that means two teams will be sent home this week on the show that pairs former pro hockey players with figure skaters.

Before anyone hits the ice, though, we learn that head judge and co-host Kurt Browning is away this week. In his place, we have Pelletier, the aforementioned Olympian who will be sitting beside his ex-wife, Sale, on the judging panel. (Not awkward in the least.) And as if he needs more cred, Pelletier won Season 3 of BOTB with partner Tessa Bonhomme.

We also learn that the bottom two teams who must go head-to-head in the skate off are Jessica Dube and Brian Savage, and Marie-France Dubreuil and Mathieu Dandenault.

Amanda Evora and Scott Thornton

Although they are pairs skaters, Amanda and Scott are assigned the iconic Bolero program that Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean performed at the 1984 Olympics. No pressure: the ice dancers only got 6.0 across the board for artistic merit. The duo explodes out of the gate with a triple twist. (During practice, Amanda fell on this move, earning three stitches in her elbow.) And they keep up the pressure during the routine, performing with speed and grace. (Again, props to Scott for his upright frame and strong arms between moves.) They finish up with a nod to the original program, with Scott twirling and spinning Amanda as if she were a cape. Ole!

Judges say: David tells the pair “I hate you and I love you” as that triple twist was one of the best he’s seen, and Scott managed to catch Amanda on her hips, something he couldn’t always do; 6.0. Jamie agrees with her ex’s assessment of his catching ability, before telling the pair they were “extremely courageous” to try the twist after that fall; 6.0. P.J. is giddy with excitement, marvelling at the level of skating on display; 6.0. Total: 18.0.

Sinead Kerr and Grant Marshall

And we’ve got another program based on a gold-medal winning ice dance. This time, it’s Tessa Virture and Scott Moir’s 2010 skate to Mahler’s 5th Symphony that captivated the judges in Vancouver. The real challenge will be conveying the romance inherent in the piece, Sinead says, rather than the skating itself. It’s a much quieter routine, with the pair showing decent speed as they segue between elements. There’s a nice lift, with Sinead balanced across Grant’s lap, but the pair stutter on the next big trick. Instead of Sinead standing on Grant’s thighs as he holds a squat, her skates can’t quite get purchase.

Jessica Dube and Brian Savage were eliminated from Battle of the Blades this week.

Judges say: Despite the duo’s “beautiful, fluid skating skills,” Jamie points out their mistake and grades them accordingly; 5.8. P.J. says they are a tough team to judge. Although Grant has the best footwork of the male skaters, the pair is lacking in the lift department; 5.7. David lauds Grant’s edge control and commends him for constantly pushing himself to achieve more; 5.8. Total: 17.3.

Violetta Afanasieva and Jason Strudwick

And again, no pressure: Tracy Wilson, who won bronze at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary with her ice dance partner Rob McCall, is on hand for the performance. The kicky routine to Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag is heavy on footwork. And as a pairs skater, that’s not something she’s used to, Violetta points out. But from the first footwork pass, the pair is on it, in time to the music and up to the tricky toe-picking. There a bit of synchronization issue early on, but the duo gets back on track for the first lift. Another footwork pass goes smoothly and flows into another stellar lift. They finish with a stunner: grasping one of Violetta’s hands, Jason starts to spin her, then grabs one of her ankles and holds her straight out from him, upside down and vertical . . . while he continues to spin. Yikes!

Judges say: “Man, you guys look good!” P.J. says, and Violetta’s footwork was none too shabby; 6.0. David says they have the hallmark of a great team: they showcase the best in the other; 6.0. Jamie loves the playful, tongue-in-cheek aspect of the performance was complemented by intricate steps and lifts; 6.0. Total: 18.0.

Jessica Dube and Brian Savage

The pair starts the skate off with an homage to the skate at the Lillehammer Olympics that earned Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov their second gold in pairs. To the strains of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Jessica and Brian start strong. They’ve got good speed and show a nice, elongated line on a lift with Jessica balancing on Brian’s shoulder. But the planned throw late in the program goes awry, as Jessica pops out of the jump.

Judges say: Aside from the throw, this was their best program to date, David says, praising their “effortless glide,” speed and the “softness” they show in their skating; 5.7; Jamie connected with the emotion in the performance and says the simplicity really worked in their favour; 5.8. P.J. says that after watching the pair in dress rehearsal every week, Jessica deserves “a huge round of applause” for always smiling, despite some crazy falls; 5.7. Total: 17.2.

Marie-France Dubreuil and Mathieu Dandenault

Once again, the pressure is on, as Marie-France and Mathieu take on Sale and Pelletier’s Love Story routine that won them the gold (eventually) at the 2002 Olympics. Marie-France has a connection with the pair, as she shared a room with her good friends at the Games in Salt Lake City. She and Mathieu have good speed from the get go, despite an awkward start with their opening lift. There’s nice ice coverage throughout, with Mathieu showcasing his strength in subsequent tricks.

Judges say: Jamie is very flattered by the homage, and gives props for the “very emotional body language;” 5.9. Week after week, the pair just gets better and better, P.J. says; 5.9. David says he’s already forgotten about that bobble on the first lift, because of the connection they created on the ice; 6.0. Total: 17.8.

So that means that Jessica and Brian will be going home, for losing the skate off, while Sinead and Grant say bye-bye for having the second-lowest score. Both teams receive $25,000 for their respective charities.

And I can only hope that there is some footage of David and Jamie on the ice that they’re saving for the retrospective after the finale. Next week, the skaters will perform two routines: one new, one favourite from earlier in the season. And voters will determine which teams move on to the finale, with its $100,000 grand prize for charity, so choose wisely.